INTERVIEW Nikola Vučević: My plan is to stay in the NBA for the rest of my career

The great Michael Jordan spent 15 seasons in the NBA, and the great Nikola Vučević will surpass Flying Michael and enter his 16th season in the strongest basketball league in the world.

The Montenegrin basketball giant said in an interview with "Vijesti" that his plan is to remain in the United States for the rest of his career.

In the past few days, numerous portals have written about Vučević's future in the NBA, some even wrote about a potential return to Europe, but that was far from the truth.

"My plan is to be in the NBA, to stay there until the end of my career. I expect there will be an offer, that something will open up. I plan to stay," Vučević clearly explained to "Vijesti".

The NBA transfer window begins on July 1st, then everything will be clearer.

"When the transfer window starts, I'll wait to see what offers I get, which clubs will be interested, and then I'll decide what to do next. I don't have much information for now, what's being mentioned in the media is, for some reason, speculation. I'm waiting for the first of July for the transfer window to start, then I'll decide."

THERE WERE BOTH GOOD AND WEAKER MOMENTS IN BOSTON

The previous season was marked by a trade - Vučević left the Chicago Bulls after five years and joined the famous Boston Celtics. Before leaving, he made sure to surpass the famous Jordan in another category - at the end of 2025, in a match against Philadelphia, he surpassed the best basketball player of all time, according to many, in the sixth place of Chicago's three-pointers. At the same time, our NBA ace is the Bulls center with the most three-pointers in franchise history, and the fourth center in NBA history.

"I started the first part of the season in Chicago well, I played at a high level. We were in the position we were expected to be in, in the play-off zone. Those were realistic goals that we could meet and that's where we were. However, halfway through the season, trades happened, me and a few other players left. Chicago went in a different direction, and I moved to Boston."

He then moved to Boston, but his time with the famous franchise was marred by a finger injury in a game against Dallas at the end of the regular season. In the end, the Celtics were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by Philadelphia, who overcame a 3-1 deficit and advanced to the semifinals.

"There were good and bad moments in Boston. I think the finger injury, which took me out for a month, had a big impact. The timing of the injury itself had a big impact - right before the end of the regular season and the start of the playoffs. Then I couldn't find the right rhythm, fit in with my teammates, and find my way in my new role."

Vučević also had a new role, as he entered the game from the bench.

"Coming off the bench, reduced minutes, it took some adaptation period, and I didn't have that much. I think that affected everything. All in all, a nice experience for me, to be part of such a team. It's a pity that we didn't get a good result, I think we had a good team and a chance to do something good."

The NBA ace was injured in a match where Jayson Tatum returned after a break due to a serious injury.

"When he came back, I got injured. That had a big impact on creating chemistry, getting along, getting me used to them and them to me. The new role and everything that came together didn't go as we had hoped. If I had been healthy, it would have been better, we would have fit in better," said Vučević, a two-time All-Star.

Vučević also spoke about the trade to Boston itself, and how much such things affect players.

"It's not easy in the middle of the season, I'm an older and more experienced player. Changes are not easy - you join a new team, new teammates, everything is new. Trades are part of the job we do. I went through a similar thing when I arrived in Chicago, you get used to all that. Trades are always tricky, especially since I went to Boston alone, and my wife and kids stayed in Chicago, it wasn't easy. I was received great in Boston, everything was at the highest possible level, everyone tried to help me fit in as quickly as possible. If it hadn't been for the injury, everything would have looked better."

THE NEW YORK EXPERIENCE IS THE RULER

The NBA season is over, the title was won by the New York Knicks, who were better than San Antonio after five games.

"New York's experience was decisive. San Antonio is a young team, no one expected them to reach the finals. It's a great experience and a great school for them. New York rose, had a great end to the season. They won the Cup, then had a little slump, and at the end of the season they played great, in the playoffs they tied 13 wins at one point. They are a complete team, strong on offense, led by Jalen Branson, who is a great player. They deservedly won the title and all the credit to them."

I'M PLANNING TO WATCH THE MATCH AGAINST ROMANIA

Vučević ended his national team career at the previous EuroBasket, but he still follows Montenegro's games. Our national team will continue its World Cup qualifiers in July, and its rivals are Portugal away (July 2) and Romania at home (July 5). Montenegro is tied at 2-2 and close to qualifying for the second phase.

"The victory against Greece means a lot, it opened up the possibility for us to transfer as many points as possible if we advance to the second phase. And therefore it opens up the chance to reach the World Basketball Championship. The next two games against Portugal and Romania are important. If we win both, that would be a big deal and would make our job much easier in the next round. The game against the Romanians is in Bar, I will be there and I plan to go watch."

I ALWAYS LOVED PLAYING WITH BOJAN, HE GAVE A LOT TO BASKETBALL

On Saturday, it was announced that Bojan Dubljević had ended his career. It was Vučević and Dubljević who marked a period in the Montenegrin national basketball team, leaving a deep, huge mark with their performances in the national team.

"I congratulate Bojan on a great career. In Valencia, he became a legend of the club, he was the main player for many years, he won numerous trophies. I congratulate him on his retirement, now he can enjoy other things and dedicate himself to his family, because he gave a lot to basketball."

Vučević spoke with choice words about his former teammate on the national team.

"I always loved playing with him. He's a great player, grateful for the team. A lot of the things he does on the field are often not reflected in the statistics. Very smart, his fighting spirit always meant a lot to the team. He was our captain, we had a good relationship, we were roommates several times, there was always a nice collaboration. The last few gatherings we didn't play together, but when we were there everything worked well," Vučević recalled.

COLLEGE IS GOOD FOR YOUNG PLAYERS

Vučević followed the NCAA league with particular attention, which featured Montenegrin basketball players last season. Luka Bogavac played for North Carolina, David Mirković was in Illinois, Andrija Grbović in Arizona, Fedor Žugić at Creighton...

"I followed a lot. I know Bogavac well, I followed him a lot and he played well. That was a big deal for him. He transferred to Oklahoma State and I think it will be a good opportunity. I have known Mirković since he was at my camp. He had a great season, he played great in the NCAA tournament. It's a shame that Ilina didn't make it to the finals and the title. He will have a chance next season. Mirković is a very talented player, difficult to guard, a four who can shoot, plays facing the basket, he is smart - he can have a nice career. I also followed Andrija Grbović and Fedor Žugić. I think college is good for them, for their development, they also have a nice salary, which is important. As far as conditions and work are concerned, it is good for young people, for them to develop, and also to use for their education," concluded Nikola Vučević.